WEST HARRISON, IND. - The University of Cincinnati football team held its fourth preseason workout Thursday, working out for around three hours in shoulder pads under skies at the Higher Ground Conference & Retreat Center in West Harrison, Ind.

"Practice was pretty good," Head Coach Tommy Tuberville said. "Last day we don't have full pads on. We've been going pretty long, between two and a half and three hours, so the guys' legs are getting tired but it is what it is."

With the team only in shoulder pads, tackling has been limited to wrapping up, not taking players to the ground, so most of the practice action has been in the passing game, but that will change tomorrow.

"We will start more on the running game tomorrow when we are in full pads," Tuberville said. "We've got pretty much everything in on defense and I like what I've seen so far. We just need to get some of these young kids along that redshirted last year. We need to get them ready to play in a game situation."

"It will be running back by committee, but hopefully someone will take the bull by the horns and grab the job," Tuberville said.

The UC tight ends took part in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge prior to Thursday afternoon's practice. Tyler Cogswell (Coral Springs, Fla./American Heritage), Jeremy Dollin (Cincinnati, Ohio/Indian Hill/Virginia), DJ Dowdy (Akron, Ohio/North) and Jake Golic (W. Hartford, Conn./NW Catholic/Notre Dame) each dumped a cooler of water over their heads to help bring awareness to ALS, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. The Bearcats challenged the tight ends from Miami (Fla.), Miami (Ohio), Notre Dame and Ohio State to do the same. For more information on the #IceBucketChallenge and ALS, visit www.ALSA.org.

Junior-college transfer Sione Tongamoa (N. Hollywood, Calif./Polytechnic/Merced) joined the team the day training camp opened. At one of his first team meetings, Tongamoa performed a ceremonial haka, a war cry or dance.

Highlights:Chris Moore (Tampa, Fla./Thomas Jefferson) had a handful of highlight reel catches during 11-on-11 drills ... Nate Cole (Memphis, Tenn./Mitchell) made a nice leaping grab over the middle of a Munchie Legaux (New Orleans, La./Edna Karr) pass ... Legaux also connected with Johnny Holton (Miami, Fla./Coconut Grove/College of Dupage) on a long ball down the sideline.

News & Notes: Over 75 former football letterwinners joined the team for practice and dinner Thursday ... the Bearcats will play host to their annual fan kickoff event at Dave & Buster's Tri-County on Wednesday, Aug.20, from 7:30-8:30 p.m. ... the event, which features Coach Tuberville, selected players, the Bearcat Mascot, cheerleaders, and an autograph session is free and open to the public.

Next Up: UC will don full pads Friday as the NCAA mandated acclimatization days come to an end.